Appliance vent

ABSTRACT

A vent for a domestic appliance may comprise a through hole in an adjacent wall for increasing airflow to and/or from heat-generating or heat-dissipating components of a refrigerator or other type of appliance. An appliance vent may include a conduit installed through a wall, ceiling, floor, and/or cabinet to provide communication to an adjacent room or space, where warmer air may be ejected or from where cooler air may be drawn. An appliance vent may include vent louvers, acoustic baffles, or an adjustable shutter plate to adjust airflow through the vent. Sound dampening material may be placed within the through hole and/or conduit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a nonprovisional patent application of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/118,077, filed Feb. 19, 2015,and titled “APPLIANCE VENT,” to which this application claims priority,the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to a vent for domesticappliances.

2. Description of Related Art

Domestic appliances are found in nearly all homes, many businesses, andare used nearly every day. Domestic appliances may generally includerefrigerators, freezers, water coolers, and other large machines thatcarry out a particular task such as washing, heating, cooling, cookingand the like. Domestic appliances may be found in households andindustrial or commercial settings.

Domestic appliances may have one or more heat-generating orheat-dissipating components. For example, refrigerators commonly have acompressor and condenser coils that generate and/or dissipate heat,which may be at the rear of the appliance. Other common domesticappliances comprise various components that likewise dissipate or ventheat. Typically, condenser coils or other heat-dissipating componentsare intended to undergo convective cooling by movement of ambient airaround the rear of the appliance.

Some refrigerators or other domestic appliances are installed withincabinetry or other tight-fitting enclosures where the heat-generating orheat-dissipating components may not receive adequate ventilation due torestricted air-flow. As a result, those components and the appliancesthemselves may remain at temperatures higher than intended for efficientand/or safe operation of the appliance. Over time, such elevatedtemperatures may cause inefficient operation of the appliances,unnecessary and/or increased mechanical stress on various appliancecomponents, and increased component failure rates.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, an appliance vent is disclosed. The appliance venthas a vent plate installed on a barrier adjacent to an appliance and aconduit passing through the barrier. The conduit provides communicationfrom the appliance to the vent plate.

In another embodiment, a vent for an appliance is disclosed. The ventfor an appliance has a hole passing through an enclosure and a conduitin the hole. The enclosure is at least partially housing the appliance.

In another embodiment, a method for providing ventilation to anappliance in an enclosure is disclosed. The method includes cutting ahole through the enclosure adjacent to the appliance and positioning aconduit in the hole to provide communication between the appliance and aspace adjacent to the enclosure.

The present disclosure will now be described more fully with referenceto the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read inconjunction with both this summary, the detailed description, and anypreferred or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwisedisclosed. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments setforth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way ofillustration only so that this disclosure will be thorough, and fullyconvey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present disclosureare described with reference to the following figures, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsunless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cutaway view of an assembled domestic appliancevent installed within a wall according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a cutaway exploded view of components of a domesticappliance vent according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates the front of a vent plate according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates the rear of a vent plate according to embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a cutaway exploded diagram of components of adomestic appliance vent having a conduit tube according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary application of a domestic appliance ventaccording to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary application of a domestic appliance witha toe kick vent and a vertical vent according to various embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 8 depicts a vertical vent conduit according to various embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 depicts a toe kick vent assembly according to various embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 depicts a toe kick vent according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 11 depicts an air return vent according to various embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 12 depicts an appliance ventilation kit according to variousembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13A depicts a shutter plate cover according to one embodiment ofthe present disclosure; and

FIG. 13B depicts a shutter plate according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding componentsthroughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans willappreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicityand clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example,the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements to help to improve understanding of variousembodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understoodelements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasibleembodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a lessobstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, reference is made to exemplary embodimentsin which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments aredescribed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the concepts disclosed herein, and it is to be understood thatmodifications to the various disclosed embodiments may be made, andother embodiments may be utilized, without departing from the spirit andscope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description is,therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “one example,” or “an example” means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of thepresent disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in oneembodiment,” “in an embodiment,” “one example,” or “an example” invarious places throughout this specification are not necessarily allreferring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particularfeatures, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitablecombinations and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments orexamples.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, apparatus,components, and/or techniques for providing airflow to and/or from adomestic appliance. Commonly such appliances are installed withincomplete or partial enclosures including walls, cabinets, or other typesof barriers. Embodiments of the present disclosure include ventilationconduit passing through such barriers through which to vent hot airand/or allow ingress of cooler air from outside the enclosure. Inembodiments, the barriers may include walls, cabinets, ceiling, or othertypes of enclosures in which appliances are partially or fully housed.Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a domestic appliance vent 100 isadapted to ventilate a space for a consumer refrigerator. Inembodiments, vent 100 comprises a conduit 110. In an embodiment, conduit110 is adapted to pass through a wall 115 beside or behind therefrigerator. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the conduit 110comprises a cylindrical tube segment. In other embodiments, conduit 110comprises the cross sectional shape of an oval, a square, a rectangle,various other shapes, or various combinations thereof.

Embodiments of vent 100 comprise louvers 120. As depicted in FIG. 1,Louvers 120 are situated at both ends of conduit 110. In alternativeembodiments, louvers 120 are at only one end of conduit 110. In otherembodiments, louvers are located elsewhere within conduit 110.

Embodiments of vent 100 comprise vent plates 130, 135. Vent plates 130,135 may secure vent 100 to walls 115 via typical fasteners such asscrews, nails or other types of wall anchors. In an embodiment, ventplate 130 is installed on the side of wall 115 at a domestic applianceand vent plate 135 is installed on the side of wall 115 in an adjacentroom. In the present disclosure, vent plate 130 may be referred to asthe internal vent plate, and the side at which it is installed may bereferred to as the internal side of vent 100. Conversely, vent plate 135may be referred to as the external vent plate, and the side at which itis installed may be referred to as the external side. Thus, the internalvent is closest to the appliance.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, embodiments of vent 100 comprise an assemblyof multiple component parts to allow for installation from either orboth sides of wall 115. In the embodiment depicted, conduit 110comprises a cylindrical segment. In embodiments, conduit 110 secures tovent plates 130, 135 by friction fit between an internal rim 112, 114 ofeach vent and an inward facing surface of conduit 110. Vent plates 130,135 and conduit 110 may be installed by inserting conduit 110 into ahole of appropriate size in wall 115 then pushing each vent plate 130,135 toward conduit 110 until adequately seated therein.

In other embodiments, conduit segments secure to each other by variousother means, including, but not limited to, adhesive, snaps, magneticattraction, tongue and groove connectors, hook and loop fasteners, pinsand holes, traditional hardware fasteners, and the like.

In operation, vent 100 can be installed behind a refrigerator or otherdomestic appliance where increased air flow may lower ambienttemperatures around heat-generating or heat-dissipating components. Ahole can be cut through the wall behind the appliance, the hole having adiameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of conduit 110. Inembodiments, the hole is cut through the wall at a location near thefloor, for example adjacent to the compressor and/or condenser coils ofa refrigerator.

Referring to FIG. 5, one embodiment of a domestic appliance vent 500comprises vent plates 510, 515 and tube conduit 520. Each vent plate510, 515 can fit with tube conduit 520 by an interference fit. In thisexample embodiment, each vent plate 510, 515 component can beinterchangeable with each other. Vent 500 may be installed by behind arefrigerator or other domestic appliance where venting may lower ambienttemperatures around heat-generating or heat-dissipating components.Embodiments of the present disclosure can include an insert 530 placedwithin conduit 520. In embodiments, insert 530 is a sound absorbingand/or fire resistant component. In one embodiment, insert 530 ismanufactured from recycled, tightly-woven cotton fiber having a cuboidshape having a width approximately equivalent to or slightly greaterthan the diameter of conduit 520. One embodiment of insert 530 has athickness of approximately ¾ inch. In this embodiment, insert 530 may bewedged into place within conduit 520. In other embodiments, an inserthas a cross sectional shape approximately equivalent to or slightlygreater than the cross sectional shape of the conduit, and thus mayprovide a complete or near-complete closure of conduit 520. It is to beunderstood that the insert may allow airflow while providing a sounddampening effect within the conduit 520. The insert may be manufacturedfrom various types of acoustical and/or fire-resistant materials. Inother embodiments, baffles may be used in conjunction with or in placeof insert 530.

To install appliance vent 500, a hole can be cut through the wall behindthe appliance, the hole having a diameter slightly larger than the outerdiameter of tube conduit 520. In embodiments, the hole is cut throughthe wall at a location near the floor, for example adjacent to thecompressor and/or condenser coils of a refrigerator. Tube conduit 520may then be inserted into the hole. Insert 530 may be placed withconduit 520. Vent plates 510, 515 may be inserted into the hole andpressed against tube conduit 520, forming a friction fit between eachvent plate 510, 515 and tube conduit 520, to complete installation.

In other embodiments, acoustic plates are longitudinally disposed withina conduit. Acoustic plates are lined with a sound dampening materialthat may attenuate sound from the appliance. In one embodiment, a fan isplaced within the conduit or within or at a vent wall plate to increaseairflow from the appliance. In other embodiments, air is drawn passivelythrough a conduit.

Referring now to FIG. 6, installed vents for a refrigerator 600 areshown. Fridge includes an air intake 630, which may draw relatively coolair toward the heat exchanger 620. Embodiments of the present disclosureinclude horizontal vent 610 and/or vertical vent 640. Vents 610, 640 areadapted to draw relatively hot air away from heat-generating orheat-dissipating components of refrigerator 600. Vent 610 provides fluidcommunication from heat exchanger 620 to an adjacent room 650. Vent 640comprises a conduit installed vertically within the wall behind therefrigerator 600 that is adapted to vent heat from the appliance to aspace above cabinets 605. Other embodiments include a vertical ventadapted to vent heat to a roof vent, an attic vent, or other spacesabove the refrigerator 600. In one embodiment, a vent conduitcommunicates with an air return of an HVAC system.

FIG. 7 depicts a ventilation system installed for refrigerator 700. Asshown, cool air 710 may be drawn through toe kick vent 720 and conduit730 toward a heat dissipating component 705 of refrigerator 700. Inembodiments, a fan of refrigerator 700 pulls the cool air 710 throughtoe kick vent 720 and conduit 730. As the warmer air rises, cool air 710continues to be drawn through toe kick vent 720 and conduit 730. Hot airmay rise and pass through vertical conduit 740, exiting therefrom at 750above cabinet 760. FIG. 8 depicts one embodiment of vertical conduit740. FIG. 9 depicts one embodiment of toe kick vent 720, conduit 730,and vent 725. FIG. 10 depicts a toe kick vent 720 installed on a toekick strip 1000 below a kitchen cabinet. In some embodiments, a conduitcan direct warm air from behind an appliance to a vent above theappliance. In other embodiments, ventilation assemblies can providerother types of venting. For example, FIG. 11 depicts an air return vent1100 installed in a wall. In one embodiment, vent 1100 can be installedabove an interior door to provide an air return to/from a room where thedoor may be closed.

In operation, embodiments of the present disclosure may increase airflowin and around a domestic appliance, thereby reducing operatingtemperatures, increasing component longevity, increasing efficiency, andallowing tighter enclosures around the appliance for improved visualdesign of kitchen cabinetry. Various combinations of the types of vents,vent plates, conduits, and installation locations may be utilized andfall under the scope of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 12,embodiments of the present disclosure include kits including variousvents 1200, 1205, conduit 1210, 1214, 1218, fasteners 1220, and one ormore sound-dampening inserts 1230. The length of conduit, the sizes ofvent plates and inserts, and the types of fasteners may be customizedfor the intended installation parameters, such as wall thickness, heightof cavity through which the conduit will pass, type and/or location ofappliance, and other factors.

Referring to FIGS. 13A and 13B, in embodiments, an adjustablerestriction shutter plate 1300 having a slidable relationship with ashutter plate cover 1310 may allow a person to select a desired level ofventilation air flow and optimal sound dampening. In the embodimentdepicted in FIGS. 13A and 13B, shutter plate 1300 can clip behindshutter plate cover 1310 and slide vertically as a person moves lever1320. Lever 1320 may be installed on the vent plate that is accessibleto people; i.e., in an adjacent room behind the appliance. In oneembodiment, the shutter plate 1300 is mechanically actuated andcontrolled by a microcontroller or similar computing device to automateoptimization of airflow. In other embodiments, alternative assembliesmay be used to restrict airflow and/or dampen noise as desired.

Although the present disclosure is described in terms of certainpreferred embodiments, other embodiments will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure,including embodiments that do not provide all of the benefits andfeatures set forth herein, which are also within the scope of thisdisclosure. It is to be understood that other embodiments may beutilized, without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An appliance vent comprising: a vent plateinstalled on a barrier adjacent to an appliance and a conduit passingthrough the barrier and providing communication from the appliance tothe vent plate.
 2. The appliance vent of claim 1, further comprising asound-dampening insert within the conduit.
 3. The appliance vent ofclaim 1, further comprising a filter within the appliance vent.
 4. Theappliance vent of claim 1, wherein the barrier comprises a wall.
 5. Theappliance vent of claim 1, wherein the barrier comprises a ceiling. 6.The appliance vent of claim 1, wherein the barrier comprises a cabinet.7. The appliance vent of claim 1, wherein the barrier comprises a floor.8. The appliance vent of claim 1, further comprising an adjustableshutter within the conduit.
 9. A vent for an appliance comprising: ahole passing through an enclosure that is at least partially housing theappliance and a conduit in the hole.
 10. The vent of claim 9, furthercomprising a vent plate in communication with the conduit.
 11. The ventof claim 9, further comprising a sound-dampening insert within theconduit.
 12. The vent of claim 9, further comprising an air filterwithin the vent.
 13. The appliance vent of claim 9, wherein theenclosure comprises a wall.
 14. The appliance vent of claim 9, whereinthe enclosure comprises a ceiling.
 15. The appliance vent of claim 9,wherein the enclosure comprises a cabinet.
 16. The appliance vent ofclaim 9, wherein the enclosure comprises a floor.
 17. The vent of claim9, further comprising an adjustable shutter within the conduit.
 18. Amethod for providing ventilation to an appliance in an enclosure,comprising: cutting a hole through the enclosure adjacent to theappliance and positioning a conduit in the hole to provide communicationbetween the appliance and a space adjacent to the enclosure.
 19. Themethod of claim 18, further comprising installing a vent plate in thespace adjacent to the enclosure at the hole.
 20. The method of claim 18,further comprising placing a sound-dampening insert within the conduit.